Research Assistant in Animal Behaviour

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

Duties

This position is part of the team working on the study of animal behaviour and welfare for the improvement of housing and management in pig production, especially in alternative systems.

The tasks are to develop new knowledge, foster innovation and increase the adoption of animal husbandry practices or systems that meet the needs of animals.

The person in charge plans, organizes and realizes the technical elements of the experimental research projects in ethology under the responsibility of the researcher.

For projects under the responsibility of the researcher, the research assistant sets up technical protocols and carries out experiments, develops methods of measurement and analysis, and collects and processes data.

The research assistant writes procedures and technical reports, participates in the technical training of the students or trainees of the team, plans and coordinates the operational work of the team and participates in budget management.

Work environment

The Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre (Sherbrooke RDC) located in Sherbrooke, Québec was established in 1914. It is one of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres.

AREAS OF RESEARCH

Research at Sherbrooke RDC focuses on developing cost-effective and environmentally friendly dairy and swine production techniques that provide Canadians with high-quality agricultural products.

The Sherbrooke RDC is the only AAFC research centre that is dedicated exclusively to dairy and swine production. Specializing in a number of different disciplines in the areas of animal such as husbandry, nutrition, functional genomics, agro-environmental processes, behaviour study and meat quality, the centre’s research teams are able to conduct both fundamental and applied research to gain insight into and develop solutions to issues related to livestock production.

Intent of the process

Anticipatory need to staff one full-time permanent position within the next year.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION
Graduation with a diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution, or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience

IF YOU HAVE FOREIGN CREDENTIALS, please follow the link below for information on how to obtain a degree equivalency. You must obtain an equivalency, at your own expense, in order to be considered for appointment into the public service.

Degree equivalency

Significant experience * in the planning and technical implementation of research projects in animal behaviour or related discipline.

Significant experience * in coaching, training and assigning work of interns, trainees, students or colleagues

Experience developing and validating measurement techniques or methods in animal biology

Experience in managing a budget as part of a research project

Experience in writing reports, technical bulletins and scientific posters or contributing to the writing of scientific communications.

Nota: * Significant experience means: experience acquired through full-time performance of the duties for at least two (2) years within the last (5) five years.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Graduation with a degree or a master's from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in one of the following fields,
Biology
Animal science
Ethology
Ecology
or a related discipline

Degree equivalency

Experience conducting research projects on pigs

Experience collecting and analysing field samples from animals.

Experience in programming, recording and processing data from data loggers (e.g. GPS, accelerometer, thermometer, heart rate recorder …).

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

French essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of concepts and principles of ethology.

Knowledge of techniques used in the study of animal behaviour (e.g. observation techniques, behavioural tests, video recording and processing, inter/intra observer agreement, programming/using data loggers, programming/using specialised software in behaviour study).

Knowledge of advanced functions in Excel (e.g. graphics, pivot tables, conditional formulas, descriptive statistics, sorting, filters).

Knowledge of laboratory and animal safety procedures and directives.

Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive communication
Planning and organization
Teamwork
Writing ability

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Knowledge in the use of programming and data processing software (e.g. MatLab, Python, macros Excel (VBA), R, SAS or equivalent).

Knowledge of practices and principles in pig production and/or agro-ecology.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidate self-identifying as belonging to one of the following equity groups: aboriginal peoples, persons with disability, visible minorities and women.

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by Work Force Adjustment.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Valid driver's licence or have the aptitude to travel associated with possession
of a valid driver's licence.
Willingness and ability to work overtime as required.
Ability and willingness to travel on occasion.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratories, pilot plants and facilities of
private-sector stakeholders.
Ability and willingness to work in the field and in the barn.
Ability and willingness to work with strong odours (manure, sludge, etc.).
Ability and willingness to work with laboratory animals and large farm animals.
Ability and willingness to work with microorganisms and pathogens.
Ability and willingness to work in a confined environment, comply with the
instructions and apply established procedures.
Ability and willingness to work with samples of human or animal or
environment origin, which may contain unknown pathogens.
Ability and willingness to take and / or handle a range of samples (including,
without limitation, feces, tissue, body fluids, organs, meat, fruits, vegetables,
environmental samples, etc.) from production systems, slaughterhouses,
processing plants, field trials and clinical trials.
Ability and willingness to work with acids and strong bases.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

In case of allergies, know how to control them using personal protective
equipment or medication so they do not interfere with the work to be carried
out.

The candidate must be able to work in contact with farm animals and in
agricultural conditions that may cause allergic reaction

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.